Nikon D3100 vs Sony Alpha 390 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 14.8 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3100
41
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 390
40
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3100 and the Sony Alpha 390 are both DSLRs released in 2010. The key buying split is the lens system, with Nikon F DX on the D3100 and Sony Alpha DT on the Alpha 390. Neither accepts the other brand's lenses, so your lens plans should weigh heavily in the choice. The D3100 is the lighter and more compact body at 505 g and 124 x 96 x 75 mm. The Alpha 390 measures 128 x 97 x 86 mm and weighs 549 g, which is 44 g, or 8.7 percent, more. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 1, 2010 | June 9, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 96 x 75 mm | 128 x 97 x 86 mm |
| Camera weight | 505 g | 549 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D3100 is the better pick for moving subjects like children's sports, shooting at 3 fps against 2.5 fps and offering 11 autofocus points instead of 9. Those extra points help with off-centre framing. For handheld work in dim rooms, the Alpha 390 answers with in-body stabilisation that steadies any Alpha DT lens you mount, while the D3100 has none. They share an APS-C sensor format, so equivalent focal lengths give the same field of view. Resolution is close at 14.8 versus 14.2 megapixels, so neither gives a meaningful cropping edge. Sensor technology differs, with the D3100 using CMOS and the Alpha 390 CCD. Both use an optical pentamirror viewfinder, and both cap standard sensitivity at 3200 ISO. Only the D3100 adds an expanded 12800 ISO setting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.8 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.4 x 23.1 | 15.7 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 2.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 2 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode. Anyone who wants movie clips alongside stills will need a different camera. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 36/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 390 is the easier camera for overhead and low-angle composition thanks to its tilting 2.7-inch LCD. The D3100's fixed screen is larger at 3 inches, which helps when reviewing shots. Dot counts differ by only 400, 230,000 against 230,400, a negligible gap. Both offer live view, a built-in flash and support for an external flash unit. Neither body has GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a touch screen or weather sealing. Without GPS, travel photos get no automatic location tags. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 53/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor a long day of shooting, the D3100 is far ahead on battery ratings, with 4500 shots for its EN-EL14 pack against 230 shots for the Alpha 390's NP-FH50. The Alpha 390's rating points to carrying spare batteries. Neither camera charges over USB, so both depend on an external charger. The D3100 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so higher-capacity SDXC media works directly. The Alpha 390 accepts SD and SDHC alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, which suits holders of legacy Memory Stick media. Both have a single card slot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
4500 shots1505000 | 230 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Nikon D3100 is the stronger choice for most stills shooting. It fires faster, offers more autofocus points, adds an expanded 12800 ISO setting, supports SDXC cards and carries a far longer battery rating. Choose the Sony Alpha 390 when handheld dim-light shooting with unstabilised lenses matters most, since its in-body stabilisation works with every Alpha DT lens. Its tilting screen also eases ground-level and overhead framing.